THE Anthony Axford Bolton Cricket League season began with an evening of T20 action in the Dixon Air Conditioning competition.

Kearsley recovered well to pick up a five-wicket win in their opener against Farnworth.

The latter posted 125-8 in their 20 overs, Nakash Qamar leading the way with a half century.

In reply Kearsley were struggling at 57-5 with Matthew Hicks recording figures of 2-9 from his four overs, but Cameron Murray (56) and Mohammed Jameel (27) saw them to victory.

In the same group, Heaton totalled 152-6 thanks to 47 from Joe Ball. Tonge make a promising start with Sam Hardman (31) and Alex Rodzoch (37) taking them to 57-1, but Jacob Whittaker took 3-9 and Tonge eventually fell 32 runs short.

In the Western Group, Blackrod made 90-9 with Asif Bhojani top scorer with 23 and Rob Brown the pick of the bowlers with 2-12.

Westhoughton then recorded a comfortable nine-wicket victory thanks to Uzzair Shah (40) and Rob Houghton (27).

At Lostock, two early wickets for Dave Flanagan left Horwich 10-2, but Tom Billington (41) and Joe Baldwin put together a match-winning 70-run partnership on the way to the visitor's 109-4.

A 62-run partnership between Sam Barlow (26) and James Evans (37) kept Lostock in the game, but the team were unable to find the necessary acceleration and the innings ended on 93-5.

Jake Wilde made the highest individual score of the day, with the Little Lever wicketkeeper smashing 89 out of his side's 146-8.

In the same innings Dave Mather was the only bowler on the day to take four wickets.

Farnworth Social Circle responded with 120-9, with Andy Wareing scoring 30 and Josh Hill taking 3-27.

In the final match, Jack Stanley hit 31 in Little Hulton's 98 all out, Andy Willward with 2-9 and Liam Benn doing the damage for Golborne, who then eased to a seven-wicket win with David Szostok scoring 34 and Jake Waterworth 36.

The joy at the return to action was shortlived however as there was a complete washout on Saturday for first and second teams in the Premiership and Association.

The Premiership games will be replayed on September 19 and the Association matches on September 5.